Protection while biking

Pacemker getting bumped

by AgentX86 - 2021-06-14 20:58:24

You're not going to do anything to the pacemaker that won't also turn your insides to goo.  The box is nearly indestructible.  The leads are more fagile but so are your bones.  After the settling in period there won't be any worry about biking.  The problem, depending on why you needed a PM, is getting your performance back.  Depending on the reasons for you PM and which PM you have, it may be a bit of a slog to get everything optimally tuned.

Back to biking

by Persephone - 2021-06-14 23:51:26

Shouldn't be too many worries about protecting the device once your incision has healed and your doc gives the all clear. The area may remain tender for some time but, as Agent points out, you're not going to disrupt the functioning of the device by being active and enjoying your biking.

protective gear

by Tracey_E - 2021-06-15 11:04:24

There are a couple of companies that make protective shirts, but they are for impact sports like martial arts and football. Once you heal, it shouldn't be necessary for biking. 

Advice from a MTBer

by Pinkit94 - 2021-06-17 12:11:54

I am an avid mountain biker, and I definitely advise getting a chest guard. I use it only on "high risk" trails or at bike parks. You can definitely hurt your pacemaker while riding, falls happen all the time, just the mechanism & force of the falls can easily break collarbones and ribs. If you break a collarbone, you can easily hurt your pacemaker. Wear one when you think you need it, and enjoy your ride.

second that

by quikjraw - 2021-06-22 12:08:36

I've been mountain biking for about 10 years. I have not yet been able to get back into it since my implant but when I do I will be using a chest guard. The impact protection should protect from nearly any impact if the insert is high enough and has the added bonuse of allowing you to wear a backpack without the straps rubbing directly on your chest.

I think the pacemaker is very strong but I suspect if you came off on one of the rock gardens and happened to catch your chest on the impact with the rock or your bike it could easily cause damage.

The likelihood is very low but the severity could be a visit back to the hospital.

I have used race face as they are a good product but keep an eye out for motorcross chest guards as they can be cheaper for some strange reason.

Chest guard

by Biker97 - 2021-06-23 22:58:13

What type of chest guard do you use/recommend?

Protective Gear

by Stache - 2021-07-20 23:37:21

I am in Northern California and ride my mountain bike a lot on the roads and bicycle trails.  I just started riding again 2.5 months ago and did not give it much thought about a protective covering as much as I sweat while riding.  I have not had any issues with my pacer even on bumpy roads.  I am more concerned with my collar bone I shattered and had a titian plate installed with 13-screws.  Both the plate and pacer is implanted on the left side.  I don't ride mountain trails anymore.

Protective Gear

by LaserDad - 2021-07-26 23:29:50

I've been wearing a Medtronic Azure pacemaker for over a year and am an athletic hockey goalie.  I've never even noticed the PM and haven't had any issues with it moving, even while I'm twisting and flopping on the ice. 

I am also a backpacker, so before the surgeon implanted it, I made sure that we agreed on where to place it.  The pack strap just misses the PM, and I rarely ever think about it.

Now, if they can only figure out how to increase my HR, when I need it, I'll be happy.